Spurs produced the performance of a lifetime to humble league leaders Chelsea on a night to remember at White Hart Lane.
It was business as usual to start with Jose Mourinho’s side as Danny Rose switched off to see Oscar’s strike find the net off Diego Costa’s boot, but as usual Harry Kane had other ideas – beating two Blues players to find the bottom corner from outside the box.
The Lane then erupted as Nacer Chadli’s shot came off the post and landed at the feet of left-back Rose who made up for his earlier error by finding the bottom corner. Kane was again the pain in Chelsea’s side as he was felled inside to box to allow Andros Townsend the chance to hand us a 3-1 lead at the break – which he duly obliged.
The second half began where the first had left off – with Harry Kane turning and shooting to send Spurs into a 4-1 dreamland. Eden Hazard pinned it back to 4-2 before Nacer Chadli sealed the deal with a fantastic right-footed finish.
John Terry’s late tap in was enough to leave us holding our breath but Pochettino’s side held on to clinch a famous victory.
Player Ratings
Hugo Lloris 7 – Hugo couldn’t do anything for any of the Chelsea goals but on this occasion we can forgive him. His save to keep us in it with the score at 4-2 was as good as a goal itself and the captain can be proud of him and his side’s victory.
Danny Rose 7 – Started very shaky and was guilty of switching off in front of Eden Hazard for the first. But he grew into the game brilliantly and even finished a brilliant goal to hand us the lead for the first time.
Jan Vertonghen 8 – Worked tirelessly at the back especially as the pressure was piled on. Unified the back 4 as Diego Costa ran the channels and Fabregas picked his passes.
Federico Fazio 7 – Valuable aerially and tussled with Costa well as expected. Attacked every ball and hit every challenge with real desire.
Kyle Walker 7 – The best out-ball in the league surely, even after his massive injury. in the first half – even when we were behind – he was our most exciting prospect when we had the ball on halfway. Carries the ball forward brilliantly.
Ryan Mason N/a – A shame he left injured.
Nabil Bentaleb 8 – Crazy to think that the 19 year old looked right at home in between Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas today. Brilliantly mature performance and was called upon for more defensive duties than ever – but was awesome on the counter.
Nacer Chadli 9 – What a game from the Belgian. Goals and assists galore on the field and he came close to scoring more than his eventual one goal throughout the game. Beat Ivanovic countless times and showed his strength at the end of the game.
Christian Eriksen 8 – Pulled the strings in the middle and was unlucky not to get in on the scoring action. Had options left and right and used them efficiently, escaping Matic effortlessly.
Andros Townsend 7 – Fantastically energetic game and a superbly clinical finish from the spot. Useful on the counter attack with ridiculous pace and some amusing Cryff-turns too.
Harry Kane 9 – I’m running out of positive adjectives to describe the players today and they are NEEDED now! Kane grabbed two stunning goals and chipped in with assists too as he ran Cahill and Terry ragged. His unbelievable season continues.
SUBS
Mousa Dembele 8 – Replaced Mason earlier than expected but lived up to his teammate’s role. Showed wicked technical skill and strength and produced some creativity that we haven’t seen this season.
Paulinho 6 – Provided some energy but was really only on the pitch for the fresh legs.
Ben Davies N/a
What a game. Chelsea have only been beaten by one other Premier League side this season and we’ve put FIVE past them.
Credit HAS to go to Harry Kane and Nacer Chadli who played out of their skins, in a young side which included the likes of Nabil Bentaleb – in their first full season of League football.
Nobody can take this amazing performance away from us and my only hope is that we can produce the same levels of intensity for the rest of the campaign.
Happy 2015, Spurs.
